Latest news with #LegalAid
BreakingNews.ie
2 days ago
- Politics
- BreakingNews.ie
Department of Justice running €1.3 million over budget due to increase in asylum seekers
The Legal Aid Board told the Department of Justice it was running €1.3 million over budget as it dealt with a vast increase in cases involving asylum seekers. In a series of letters, the board's senior management said they were struggling with 'staff retention issues and low morale' due to their workload. Advertisement A letter in February said despite an increase in their allocation, they were running at least €1 million over budget which they said was a matter of 'significant concern.' In later correspondence, their chief executive told the department that they were headed for a 2025 pay bill of at least €33.5 million despite only having an allocation of €32.4 million for pay. Even with that, there were 34 vacancies in the Legal Aid Board and the board was warning of 'very serious impacts on service provision.' Chief executive Joan Crawford told the department in May that without a further increase in budget, they would be forced to immediately cease hiring staff. Advertisement She wrote: 'This will have a drastic impact on the operation of the Legal Aid Board and will render it impossible for [us] to provide the services that [we are] required to provide under statute.' Ms Crawford said some law centres would be left with no option but to close to new applications to deal with a backlog of cases. She said this could leave certain counties without access to a local law centre placing further pressures on nearby centres. Ms Crawford said cases would have to be prioritised meaning cases involving divorce, separation, child custody and guardianship being put on the long finger. Advertisement The Legal Aid Board also warned their budget constraints were having a knock-on effect on the courts and judges. The letter said: 'This is leading to delays in dealing with the conclusion of cases in already difficult situations and where the interests of children are involved. 'Often issues such as the necessity for a voice of the child report or welfare report are only identified on the appointment of a solicitor further causing delays for all involved.' Ms Crawford said the enormous pressure on staff was leading to staff departures and dissatisfaction from clients. Advertisement 'In all areas across the Board, the non-filling of vacancies will create well-being and morale issues, with staff feeling under pressure,' she wrote. 'As it stands, the Board is regularly losing staff with experience and expertise to other state bodies and government departments who can offer better conditions and better working environments with less pressure due to adequate resourcing.' A previous letter to the Department of Justice from June 2024 said one of the biggest drivers in demand was 'the exponential increase' in cases involving asylum seekers. It said the introduction of 'accelerated' processes for dealing with applications for international protection had complicated their work. The correspondence said: 'Early legal advice is key, and this is very challenging with the current service delivery model.' The board warned the Department of Justice that a shortfall in staff could lead as well to longer stays in international protection for applicants. 'Additionally, it could give rise to costly and lengthy litigation in the superior courts,' they said.
IOL News
4 days ago
- IOL News
Trial of Nadia Lotz's murder: chilling witness testimony reveals the horrific events
Strand mom-of-three Nadia Lotz, 32 Image: Supplied After more than two years of delays, the murder trial of Nadia Lotz is finally gaining momentum in the Strand Regional Court, with chilling witness testimony painting a harrowing picture of her final moments. Lotz, a 32-year-old mother of three, was brutally killed by her long-term boyfriend, Charles Apollis, in March 2023 while they were travelling in a car. Her throat was slit and she was stabbed multiple times in a a crime described by many as a senseless act of violence. During his initial court appearances, Apollis indicated he would not apply for bail. However, proceedings stalled for over a year due to a series of legal tactics, including repeatedly changing defence lawyers, which led to numerous postponements. In March 2024, the magistrate warned Apollis to secure legal representation through either private means or Legal Aid after his previous lawyer withdrew. Despite this, Apollis again requested a new lawyer in August, delaying the case further. By September, the court had issued a final warning: if no defence lawyer was present at the next appearance, the trial would proceed without one. Still, when Apollis returned to court, his legal representative was absent once again. The magistrate reprimanded him for wasting the court's time, and the prosecutor expressed frustration at the continued delays. A date was set, and the matter finally proceeded on 19 February 2025, later postponed to 19 March. The trial formally commenced in July, with Apollis pleading not guilty. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Next Stay Close ✕ Charles Appolis at the Strand Regional Court Image: Ayanda Ndamane/ Independent Newspapers At his most recent appearance on 10 July, a key witness who had been in the car with the couple on the night of the murder gave chilling evidence. She described how a casual outing spiralled into horror after Apollis became enraged when other men spoke to Lotz at a local pub. According to the witness, Apollis picked them up from work, after which they stopped at a bottle store before relaxing at a park. Lotz needed a bathroom, and Apollis suggested a nearby pub. They stayed to play pool, where two men began chatting with Lotz. One kissed her on the cheek, triggering an argument between her and Apollis. They were asked to leave the premises. While driving home, the witness said Apollis, seated in the back, suddenly leaned forward and slit Lotz's throat. She described blood gushing from her best friend's neck as she tried to intervene all while still driving. Lotz reportedly tried to escape, opening the car door while it was still moving. Apollis then pushed her out. When the witness tried to help, he pointed the knife at her and said, 'I'll do the same to you. Drive to the police station.' Once there, the witness said Apollis wiped the knife and handed it to someone nearby. She later saw her friend wrapped in foil. The case has been postponed to 24 July for further trial. Civil rights organisation Action Society, which has been monitoring the case closely, welcomed the trial's progress. Kaylynn Palm, spokesperson and head of the Action Centre, said: 'Action Society will continue to attend proceedings and support Nadia's grieving family. 'Every postponement deepens the trauma for families and undermines faith in the rule of law. That's why Action Society remains present not only in courtrooms, but also alongside the families, offering support and demanding accountability. We are committed to ensuring that justice is not delayed indefinitely and that the voices of victims are never forgotten.' Weekend Argus
The Citizen
5 days ago
- The Citizen
No bail for Saulsville man accused of raping landlord's daughter
A 55-year-old foreign national accused of raping a 12-year-old in Saulsville, Pretoria, in March has been denied bail by the Atteridgeville Magistrate's Court. The accused appeared in court on July 16, facing three counts of rape. The case was postponed to July 23 for regional court allocation. National Prosecuting Authority regional spokesperson, Lumka Mahanjana, said the accused was charged with allegedly raping his landlord's 12-year-old daughter. 'On June 25, in the evening, while the complainant was on the phone in the house, her mother asked her who she was talking to, and when she could not respond, the mother requested to go through her phone,' Mahanjana said. 'While going through the phone, she saw inappropriate conversations between the accused and the victim. 'The mother confronted the accused in his back room, where he denied the allegations and requested that they take the child to Kalafong Hospital for examination. 'While at the hospital during examination, one of the nurses called the police, and the accused was arrested on the scene, ' said Mahanjana. It is alleged that the accused raped the victim on three occasions. Mahanjana continued, 'During his appearance, via his legal representatives, the suspect alleged that he should be granted bail due to weak evidence being presented by the state, among other considerations. 'During the bail hearing, the accused asked to be released on bail, claiming that the state's case was weak and citing his responsibilities to support his wife and six children. 'He further stated that, as a self-employed individual, detention would hinder his income and ability to afford legal fees.' State Prosecutor Katlego Manana opposed bail, arguing the severity of the charges and the high prevalence of such offences in the court's jurisdiction. Manana also highlighted the risk of the accused interfering with the investigation due to the accused's familiarity with the victim and her mother, and noted his lack of immovable property in South Africa, increasing the likelihood of him evading trial. In the end, the magistrate found that the accused did not produce any proof that the accused is self-employed and that no evidence shows that he stays with his family. She also said that in his bail application, the accused only listed his responsibilities and no substantial circumstances. Moreover the magistrate said that if the accused suffers financially while in custody, and cannot afford a legal representative, he can apply for Legal Aid. Therefore, bail was denied. The NPA commended the vigilance of the victim's mother, whose swift action led to the accused's arrest, and the hospital staff who moved quickly to get the police involved. Acting director of public prosecutions Advocate Marika Jansen van Vuuren praised Prosecutor Katlego Manana. 'The denial of bail sends a clear message: The NPA will vigorously oppose release for those accused of heinous GBV crimes, prioritising the safety of victims and communities.' The NPA's partnership with Thuthuzela Care Centres (TCCs) ensures critical psychosocial support for the victim, reflecting its victim-centric approach. Families and communities are urged to remain vigilant, report suspected abuse promptly, and support survivors through TCCs, which offer medical, psychological, and legal assistance. 'This case highlights the critical role of parents in recognising signs of abuse and acting decisively. 'The NPA calls on South Africans to unite against GBV, fostering safe environments where children's constitutional rights to dignity and safety are upheld, and perpetrators face the full might of the law,' Mahanjana concluded. Do you have more information about the story? Please send us an email to [email protected] or phone us on 083 625 4114. For free breaking and community news, visit Rekord's websites: Rekord East For more news and interesting articles, like Rekord on Facebook, follow us on Twitter or Instagram or TikTok. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
ABC News
15-07-2025
- ABC News
Former police officer Beau Lamarre-Condon's legal team withdraws from alleged murder case
The legal team representing the former NSW Police officer accused of murdering Sydney couple Jesse Baird and Luke Davies have withdrawn from the case, causing a further delay of six weeks in the proceedings. Beau Lamarre-Condon is yet to enter a plea as his case remains in the Local Court nearly 18 months after his arrest. On Tuesday, prosecutors opposed a further adjournment by arguing it would be unreasonable after two case conferences and "many, many months" of negotiations. The 30-year-old was charged with two counts of domestic violence-related murder after Mr Baird and Mr Davies disappeared last February. Their bodies were found at a rural area in Bungonia, 200 kilometres south west of Sydney, about a week after Mr Lamarre-Condon's arrest. Detectives have alleged a police-issued handgun was used in Mr Baird's Paddington home, where a large amount of blood was found. Mr Lamarre-Condon's case has been with Legal Aid since late last year, after he was previously represented by John Walford. Barrister Alex Terracini on Tuesday sought permission for himself and other members of the publicly-funded defence team to withdraw from the matter. "An issue has arisen which means we cannot continue in the matter," he told the Local Court in Sydney's John Maddison Tower. However, the court was told since the "issue" became apparent on Monday, Legal Aid acted quickly to find alternative representation and lawyer Ben Archbold will take over. Brendan Donnelly, for the Director of Public Prosecutions, told the magistrate the Crown was "ready for this matter to proceed to trial" and argued there had been "plenty of opportunities" for a decision on pleas to be made. "These murders allegedly occurred in February last year," he said. "The Crown's submission is that further delay on the question of committal is unreasonable in the circumstances." Mr Lamarre-Condon did not appear on screen for the mention but his mother, Coleen Lamarre, attended court. Magistrate Christopher Halburd said the developments meant Mr Lamarre-Condon was "unrepresented on an incredibly serious charge". Noting that members of the Baird and Davies families had requested to dial in via a link, the magistrate said his decision was whether or not it would be in the interests of justice to grant another adjournment. But Magistrate Halburd said if the adjournment was not granted, Mr Lamarre-Condon would lose the opportunity of speaking with his new representation before entering a plea. "A further six weeks in the scheme of this matter is not a long time," he said. The magistrate said it was "appropriate" that no further details about the issue prompting the defence team's withdrawal were disclosed to him. The magistrate ruled it was in the interests of justice to allow the adjournment, describing the matters as "complex" and congratulating Legal Aid on having "leapt into action" quickly. The case returns to court on August 26.
IOL News
10-07-2025
- IOL News
JUST IN: How baby Mogamat Imaad Sharmar was found
Sameemah Jacobs appears in the Bellville Magistrate's Court. Image: Genevieve Serra In a dramatic testimony during the bail application of accused baby snatcher Sameemah Jacobs in the Bellville Magistrate's Court on Thursday, a veteran police officer gave a blow-by-blow account of how they found baby Mogamat Imaad Sharmar. The 37-year-old Jacobs stepped into the dock dressed in a white and brown jacket and donned a pardah and scarf. State prosecutor Salaahuddeen Simon asked whether the accused's face could be she shown, saying that during the first appearance a week ago he thought she was sick. Jacobs's Legal Aid lawyer, Asongewa Mafuya, said his client wore the pardah due to religious reasons. Sergeant Dawid Fortuin told the court that he had 22 years of service under his belt. In the blow-by-blow account and armed with the case docket, Fortuin said the case started as far as February when a woman named "Sameemah" had befriended Imaad's mother, Imaan Sharmar at the clinic. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Fortuin said the woman named Sameemah had bought Sharmar food and they had even visited a local beach together and exchanged numbers. He said Sameemah had accompanied Sharmar to hospital on the date of delivery on June 19. He detailed that in May, a woman who identified herself as "Chevon" had visited the mother's home and stated that she worked for the "Zoey Project" and that they helped single mothers. He said that a day prior to the kidnapping, Chevon contacted her and said she would receive R500 in cash and a baby packet containing clothing on June 28 when they attended a workshop in Bellville. The next day at 11am, Chevon arrived at her home with a white Suzuki and when she climbed into the vehicle she saw Sameemah sitting at the back. The driver's name was Allan. "Chevon had a birthmark on her face and a beauty spot on her cheek," he said. He said when the car arrived in Bellville, Chevon said a work vehicle would fetch her. "On the way to Bellville the complainant drank Oros, which was given to her, and when she arrived at the mall she said she is feeling dizzy and light headed and she was given Hungry Lion. "She had to use the bathroom as she had vomited in a bin. "She gave the baby bag and the bag to Chevon. "Five minutes later when she came out, Chevon was gone with the baby." Fortuin said the mother started to search for the woman and was shown CCTV footage, which showed Chevon leaving the mall. He said the investigation then continued and on Monday, June 30, when he joined the team, they received vital information from a missing persons unit, that a resident had provided. "This informer said that a woman in her road named Sameemah had asked her daughter for her urine because she was pregnant and needed it for a project," he said. He added that they had earlier followed-up on a lead, which was negative. He also said that records of the Uber trip showed two addresses, that of one in Blombos Street, Lentegeur, and the baby's home in Strandfontein. Hanging on the sergeant's every word, Simon asked what the team did next. Fortuin said that at 6pm the missing persons unit called him again stating that the community of Tafelsig was riotous. He said teams were mobilised including the Public Order Police and several others. Upon entering the home, an elderly woman who identified herself as Jacobs's mother, led him to a back house or separate entrance where a young man was. Fortuin added that he found a woman with an infant. "She was breast feeding the baby and I could see that the baby was in distress." He asked the woman to identify herself and had asked her whose baby it was to which she answered that the infant was hers. He then asked her for proof. Watch officer Dawid Fortuin recount the abduction of little Mogamat Imaad Sharmar from Middestad Mall. The accused, Sameemah Jacobs, claimed to be the infant's mother. 📹 @genserra01 — Cape Argus (@TheCapeArgus) July 10, 2025
